Webinar Series : Holding a Member Recruitment Event

24 April 2014

Featuring: Lt. Governor of District 04, Joanne Raymond

Presented by:

Ragna Karlsdóttir International Membership Chairman9 a.m. CDT session

Kerry Dixon International Membership Vice-Chairman9 p.m. CDT session

Why Should Prospective Members Join Zonta? Why Did You Join Zonta?• Join with like-minded people committed to

advancing the status of women through service and advocacy locally and internationally• Be a part of an international organization with

the combined influence of 30,000 members in 66 different countries• Service opportunities: hands-on service

opportunities with like-minded people

Why Should Prospective Members Join Zonta? Why Did You Join Zonta?• Advocacy opportunities – work with other

Zontians and organizations on issues affecting the status of women at a local, national and international level• Fellowship opportunities – meet people you

may not normally meet, share meals, reflect on the messages of speakers and the time to talk and get to know others• Zonta’s reputation as an organization that

makes a difference to the lives of women locally and internationally

Designate a Team of Club Members to Take Ownership of the Event• The club’s membership committee is

recommended to oversee recruitment eventsItems to oversee include:• Finding the prospective members• Sending invites• Creating the event agenda• Collecting event attendee names/best time

to follow-up• Following up with the attendees to invite

them to a club meeting or asking them to join

Finding Potential Members

• Information on businesses and industries in the geographic area of the club• Local Chamber of Commerce or similar

organization• Civic and professional organizations• Friends and family of current members• Contacts and recommendations from

current members

Sending Invitations

• Electronic or Paper? • Save the date?• Include information about the agenda

Creating the Event Agenda

• What is traditional in your country or city?• Speaker • Service opportunity• Refreshments• Information about your club, your

members, and Zonta International

Following Up with the Attendees

• Be timely – is it a phone call, an email, or a quick note?• Find out how your guests want to be

contacted.• It may take more than one ask.

Lt. Governor Joanne Raymond, District 04Zonta Club of Kitchener-WaterlooGetting the word out• Clubs are always encouraged to have a

membership display about Zonta at club events in the community, including fundraisers to attract members to Zonta

• List of potential members from events is collected and the club is encouraged to invite them to the information evening

Night of the Recruitment Event• Information evening is held prior to a

regular meeting that same night• Various members of the membership

committee share important information about Zonta• Potential members are given a package

of further information about Zonta which includes more details • Potential members are encouraged to

stay for the meeting so that they can see the club in action

Follow-Up• The potential member is contacted after the

event • Application form is completed by the potential

member which is reviewed by the membership committee. After being reviewed by the committee, the name is then presented to the Club Board before the person is inducted.• Many times, the new member and their

mentor are put on the same committees at the beginning of their membership to help the new member feel more comfortable

Recap• Plan

• Find the right team and let them put together a great event

• Execute the plan• Have all club members assist

• Follow-up• Email, phone calls, be persistent

• Evaluate• Did it work, what would you do again,

what would you do differently?

New Membership Opportunity

• If a new or charter member joins between 1 April – 31 May 2014, they only have to pay ZI dues for one year taking their membership to 31 May 2015.

A toolkit has been provided for our clubs to assist them at the following link: http://

www.zonta.org/ClubsLeadership/Tools/MembershipOpportunity.aspx

Included are:• Guidesheet on sample recruitment event ideas• Email invite template for clubs to invite people to recruitment

events• Basic PR guide on how to publicize Zonta in your community• Graphic for you to use

We want to hear from our audience!